Who Will Control the Senate After This Year?

This year, the great struggle over what kind of country we will be continues, and it features a war for the U.S. Senate. The Democrats now hold a 53-to-47 majority, meaning that a shift of four seats to the Republicans is all it takes for the Senate to switch hands. And: Twenty-three seats currently held by Democrats are up for election, while the Republicans have only ten seats to defend. Here, we handicap the key races.PLUS: Get the Latest News on the 2012 Senate Races >>Published in the April issue

Massachusetts

Massachusetts

ELIZABETH WARREN (D) v. SCOTT BROWN (R)*

Obama won the state by 26 percent in 2008 and will win it again handily this year. While Brown will do much better than the Republican nominee, his reelection is all uphill. But: He still polls well with independents against the Harvardy Warren. Will be close.

Nevada

Nevada

SHELLEY BERKLEY (D) v. DEAN HELLER (R)

Heller is the nominal incumbent, having been appointed last year to finish John Ensign's term, and he runs against congresswoman Berkley. After Massachusetts and Maine, this is the Democrats' best chance to pick up a Republican seat.